Neil Gaiman To Write New “Sandman” Miniseries Next Year

As if DC didn't create enough controversy this year with the release of Before Watchmen, the company has just announced that in 2013 it will be putting out a brand-new Sandman mini-series in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the character, according to Newsarama. But don't worry, unlike Before Watchmen, series creator Neil Gaiman is officially on board as the writer for this project with J.H. Williams III on art duties.

"When I finished writing The Sandman, there was one tale still untold: the story of what had happened to Morpheus to allow him to be so easily captured in The Sandman #1, and why he was returned from far away, exhausted beyond imagining, and dressed for war," Gaiman said in a DC press release. "It was a story that we discussed telling for Sandman's 20th anniversary, but the time got away from us. And now, with Sandman's 25th anniversary year coming up, I'm delighted, and nervous, that that story is finally going to be told."

Debuting in 1988, Gaiman's Sandman ushered in a more mature and sophisticated movement to the world of comics. It combined elements of fantasy, mythology, and classic literature into a unique tale revolving around Morpheus, the god of dreams, and his entire family. It went against what everyone thought a comic should be, and it's still viewed as one of the best series of all time.

After the series ended, Gaiman went on to become one of the best authors in modern literature with numerous best-sellers to his credit. All we know right now is that this prequel miniseries will hit shelves next year at some point and will be published under DC's Vertigo banner. We'll have an exact release date when it becomes available.